The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his current range of motion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s thoracic spine disability has been evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5242 (General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine), which considers limitation of motion. The VA examinations have shown that the Veteran's forward flexion is greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees, with a combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- DJD (Degenerative Joint Disease), DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease), Compression Fractures with Kyphosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1731555
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1731555.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, lumbar retrolisthesis, a vertebral fracture, and DDD (back disability), as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the back disability. The decision is based on evidence showing an in-service fall causing a back injury that led to current diagnoses.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for DDD and central canal stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that the appellant's current disability is at least as likely caused by his in-service injury.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracolumbar disorder, including arthritis, thoracic spine scoliosis with degenerative changes, DDD, and chronic low back pain, is granted service connection. Service connection for a cervical strain is denied.
- Denied
The Board has denied the claim for service connection for low back disability, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between the current condition and active military service.
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